Bute edges closer to Froch re-match after beating Grachev on points

Lucian Bute bounced back from his defeat to Carl Froch in the summer by beating Denis Grachev in a close bout for the minor NABF light heavyweight title on Saturday night - putting himself closer to a re-match with the Nottingham fighter.

The Canadian won a unanimous decision to take his career record to 31-1 in his first fight since losing his super-middleweight title to Froch.

Russian Grachev landed more punches but it was not enough as the three ringside judges scored the contest 115-113, 116-112 all in favour of Bute.

In control: Lucian Bute lands a right to the head of Denis Grachev

Bute took advantage of a hometown crowd. An announced attendance of 10,122 in the Bell Centre chanted the 32-year-old's name throughout the fight.

The former champion fought cautiously for 11 rounds, looking to avoid direct hits while taking single shots at Grachev.

Not going all his own way: Bute takes a left to the head from Grachev

In the 12th, though, he dominated, as he stood in the center of the ring daring Grachev, 30, to hit his chin while firing off lefts.

There was question as to whether Bute could take a hard shot to the chin after his five-round loss to Froch in May, but he was never in serious trouble even though he was backed against the ropes several times.